Participants (n=20,10 peripheral arterial disease/10 healthy) will attend 5 weekly visits and receive one food item (banana bread)at each visit. Assessment of endothelial function at 2-hours post consumption. Blood samples will be collected for plasma triglycerides, glucose, insulin, markers of oxidative stress, vascular function, inflammation, and metabolism. Food intake and physical activity will be recorded the day before their first test visit, and the same (foods and activities) will be repeated before each visit. Ankle Brachial Index and Pulse Wave Velocity testing will be done.

Secondary Outcome Measures:

To test the effects of canola oil consumption for its effects on vascular function and cardiovascular risk factors in a chronic 8-week study in individuals with peripheral arterial disease. [ Time Frame: baseline and at 8 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

To explore whether improvements in blood vessel function in the chronic 8-week study are also associated with improvements in cognitive function. [ Time Frame: baseline and at 8 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Participants (n=50, 25/group) with peripheral arterial disease will be randomly assigned to receive daily food item(s) containing traditional canola oil or an oil mixture representing the Western diet. Assessment of cognitive function will occur at baseline and at the end of the 8-week study schedule.

4. To assess compliance and tolerability through subjective feedback provided from participants during the chronic 8-week study. [ Time Frame: baseline at at 8 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Participants (n=50, 25/group) with peripheral arterial disease will be randomly assigned to receive a daily food item(s) containing traditional canola oil or an oil mixture representing the Western diet. Compliance and tolerability with food consumption (including side effects) will be assessed from participants' experiences throughout the 8-week study schedule.

Participants (10 healthy and 10 with peripheral arterial disease) will be asked to attend a total of 5 consecutive visits (with a minimum of 6 days between visits) in a fasting state where they will be randomly assigned one food item in the form of banana bread containing 50 gm fat from traditional canola oil.

Active Comparator: Acute Phase: high oleic canola oil

Participants will receive banana bread containing high oleic canola oil once weekly during the 5-week schedule

Other: high oleic canola oil

Participants (10 healthy and 10 with peripheral arterial disease) will be asked to attend a total of 5 consecutive visits (with a minimum of 6 days between visits) in a fasting state where they will be randomly assigned one food item in the form of banana bread containing 50 gm fat from high oleic canola oil.

Participants (10 healthy and 10 with peripheral arterial disease) will be asked to attend a total of 5 consecutive visits (with a minimum of 6 days between visits) in a fasting state where they will be randomly assigned one food item in the form of banana bread containing 50 gm fat from soybean oil.

Active Comparator: Acute Phase: high linoleic safflower oil

Participants will receive banana bread containing high linoleic safflower oil once weekly during the 5-week schedule

Other: high linoleic safflower oil

Participants (10 healthy and 10 with peripheral arterial disease) will be asked to attend a total of 5 consecutive visits (with a minimum of 6 days between visits) in a fasting state where they will be randomly assigned one food item in the form of banana bread containing 50 gm fat from high linoleic safflower oil.

Participants (10 healthy and 10 with peripheral arterial disease) will be asked to attend a total of 5 consecutive visits (with a minimum of 6 days between visits) in a fasting state where they will be randomly assigned one food item in the form of banana bread containing 50 gm fat from coconut oil.

Experimental: Chronic Phase: traditional canola oil

A total of 25 participants with peripheral arterial disease will be assigned foods containing traditional canola oil for a total of 8 weeks

Other: traditional canola oil

Participants with peripheral arterial disease (n=25) will be randomized to daily consumption of food items prepared with traditional canola oil for eight weeks.

Active Comparator: Chronic Phase: safflower oil

A total of 25 participants with peripheral arterial disease will be assigned foods containing an oil mixture representing the typical western diet for a total of 8 weeks

Other: safflower oil

Participants with peripheral arterial disease (n=25) will be randomized to daily consumption of foods prepared with an oil mixture representing the typical western diet

Detailed Description:

Given that much of the evidence for current dietary recommendations for type and amounts of fatty acids is based on heart disease, the proposed research will contribute to the knowledge base for dietary fat recommendations for individuals with established cardiovascular disease. Specifically, this study will establish whether canola oil has positive effects on blood vessel function in individuals with peripheral arterial disease by measuring true clinical endpoints such as ankle-brachial index, walking distance, claudication, and vascular function measures. Additionally, since reduced blood flow contributes to cognitive impairment, this study will explore whether improvements in blood vessel function are also associated with improvements in cognitive function. Given the large proportion of the population affected by atherosclerosis and various forms of cardiovascular disease, there is significant potential for greater consumption and utilization of canola oil if there are beneficial effects on blood vessel function and other indicators of cardiovascular disease risk.

Documented peripheral arterial disease including those with claudication as defined by an ankle brachial index of ≤0.90 or asymptomatic carotid stenosis of >50%; or who have had a previous intervention for peripheral arterial disease;

Stable medication profile for the past 3 months with no changes anticipated for the duration of the acute or chronic phases;

Willing to comply with the protocol requirements;

Willing to provide informed consent;

Participants having completed another food study are eligible to participate if it has been more than 3 months since the study was completed.

History of gastrointestinal reactions or allergies to dietary oils:for the acute study, to ingredients in banana bread such as wheat and eggs, ang for the chronic study, to one or more ingredients in the study foods which significantly limits the number of study foods that can be consumed;

Inability to adhere to a regular diet;

Daily consumption of omega-3 supplements.

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Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01250275